The Mary Jones Way[ISBN: 978 1 908748 44 7]

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The route described in this book is based upon a walk undertaken by Mary Jones from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, across the Welsh mountains, to Bala to get a Bible from Revd Thomas Charles.

The exact route that Mary walked is not known. What is known, however, is that she did walk from her home in Llanfihangel-y-pennant to Bala. It appears though that she walked via Rhiwog of at the start of her journey then finding her way to Brithdir and Llanuwchllyn before finally reaching Bala. The trackway systems all those years ago would have been very different to todays. The start described climbs gradually to reach Rhiwogof directly without any descents. It is presumed Mary then descended to the valley floor to reach Minffordd. There is little room for variation though from Minffordd to Bala as it is the only feasible low level way, although an alternative has been suggested to avoid an often wet section to reach Gwerngraig Farm.

The sections have been determined so that buses can be used once section one is finished to reach the start or return from the end of each one back to the start, obviating the need of a return walk. There are information boards at strategic intervals giving some details of the route.

The walk itself is very pleasant with no very long steep uphill sections although there are some steeper bits spread throughout. In fact the high point of the walk is reached very close to the start just before reaching Rhiwogof. Fine mountain scenery in the first two sections is followed by quiet and scenic valley scenes by walking along green lanes or quiet country roads with very little in the way of main road walking.

Use this guide to experience some wonderful Welsh countryside following in the footsteps of the remarkable Mary Jones.